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one, 1 acre aspen trial and two, 1 acre mountain shrub trails. These trials amount to the reclamation of <br />0.45% of the aspen communities that will be disturbed and 0.24% of the mountain shrub communities <br />that will be disturbed. These proposed trials are very little in the overall disturbance and minimize the <br />wildlife component of the reclamation as required. <br />In TR-84 Colowyo has proposed to initiate three 1-acre field trials for aspen and tall mountain shrub <br />communities. One of the areas will be an aspen community with thick topsoil, one a tall mountain <br />shrub community with thick topsoil and one a tall mountain shrub community with thin topsoil. The <br />Division agrees with these trials, but given the need to establish a minimum of 40 acres of these areas <br />total, these trials will need to be initiated in the 2010 reclamation season (and no later than the 2011 <br />reclamation season), so Colowyo will have data and results to continue these practices on a permanent, <br />large scale basis. <br />In the past several years, there has been considerable research on the establishment of woody plants on <br />reclaimed lands. Colowyo participated in a study conducted by Colorado State University regarding <br />native shrub establishment in northwest Colorado. The results of this study indicate that shrub <br />establishment is enhanced by using fencing to exclude big game. Additionally, the study showed that <br />the use of containerized transplants may be necessary for the tall shrub species such as serviceberry <br />and chokecherry. Species such as sagebrush and bitterbrush were successful when planting these <br />species from seed. Finally, the study indicated that the use of lesser amounts of topsoil (approximately <br />six inches) appeared to be better for shrub establishment relative to deeper topsoil (18 inches) or no <br />topsoil, over the 7 year study period. <br />The US Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station has been researching aspen re-establishment <br />in northwest Colorado on reclaimed coal lands. These research results indicate that control of <br />competing vegetation in the immediate vicinity of aspen transplants is critical to growth and survival, <br />and that competitive vegetation can be effectively controlled using landscape fabric. Additionally, the <br />OSM along with seven Appalachian states have been involved in the Appalachian Regional <br />Reforestation Initiative for the past several years. A large body of knowledge regarding reestablishing <br />trees on regraded mine spoils is available at the web site www.arri.osmre.gov. Recommendations that <br />have come out of these studies which likely have applicability to establishment of aspen and tall shrub <br />species in the west, include the importance of a sufficient root medium thickness composed of topsoil <br />and/or weathered sandstone. A loose, rough, rocky surface, with no excessive compaction in the upper <br />four feet is a critical factor. Sandstone dominated surface spoils are preferable to shale or clay <br />dominated spoils. Seeded ground covers should not include highly competitive species. <br />Rule 4.15 - Revegetation <br />Aspen Planting Areas <br />1. In the description of the 1-acre test plot for aspen, Colowyo states that aspen will be established <br />"where the original lithology is still intact." This approach is counter to the purpose of <br />attempting to reestablish aspen on reclaimed disturbed areas. Results from short term studies at <br />the Seneca mine complex have shown promise that aspen can be established on reclaimed mine <br />spoil when they are protected from browsing and competing vegetation is adequately <br />suppressed. The purpose of these trials is to demonstrate feasibility of aspen establishment on